Passages
Because D3 swimming deserves to be seen, heard, and talked about.
Hello world.
First, I want to acknowledge D3 Swim Outsider and the community he built. What he created was much more than just a blog. It became a space where Division III swimmers could see their efforts recognized and appreciated. The passion, effort, and dedication it took to build such a community should not go unnoticed.
While my name might sound similar, I am not trying to impersonate, take credit for, or discredit what D3SO accomplished. I simply want to carry forward the spirit of what he started.
In the past several months, both D3SO and The Anchor Leg Podcast have stepped away. Those two outlets brought consistent attention, analysis, and humor to Division III swimming. Their absence has left a noticeable gap.
As a former Division III swimmer, I want to help fill that gap and continue highlighting the athletes who make this level special. I have seen firsthand how the D3 community rallies around its swimmers, and I want to continue that tradition.
Like D3SO, my goal is to celebrate and support the student-athletes who compete in Division III. The level of talent in the division continues to grow each year, and it will likely keep rising following the House v. NCAA settlement. Division III continues to produce not only great swimmers but also great people—graduate students, teachers, doctors, lawyers, bankers, and lifelong athletes.
My goal with this blog is to maintain the same level of thought, effort, and humor that those before me brought to covering D3 swimming. I plan to post weekly on Sundays, with additional updates during the season. If I could, I would post every day of the week, and make sure every swimmer’s story was heard. But unfortunately, my employer doesn’t pay me to write Substack posts.
I may not be the same type of data analyst that D3SO was, but I will bring the same curiosity and depth to my writing. If you have stories, leads, suggestions, or general thoughts, or if you want a former Division III swimmer’s perspective, you can find me here or on Instagram at @d3_swimming_observer.
This community is worth celebrating, and I hope to continue telling its stories.